The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long Lehigh Safety Shoes before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus Lehigh Safety Shoes believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes began in the period between Lehigh Safety Shoes about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big Lehigh Safety Shoes toe) decreased during Lehigh Safety Shoes this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone Lehigh Safety Shoes growth before Lehigh Safety Shoes this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Lehigh Safety Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom Lehigh Safety Shoes of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom Lehigh Safety Shoes of a Lehigh Safety Shoes shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Lehigh Safety Shoes Many shoes have removable and Lehigh Safety Shoes replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added Lehigh Safety Shoes for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell Lehigh Safety Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole Lehigh Safety Shoes is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single Lehigh Safety Shoes piece, Lehigh Safety Shoes or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel Lehigh Safety Shoes of the sole is rubber for Lehigh Safety Shoes durability and Lehigh Safety Shoes traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: Lehigh Safety Shoes athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip Lehigh Safety Shoes the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have Lehigh Safety Shoes much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath Finn Comfort Shoes the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes. Lehigh Safety Shoes Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of Lehigh Safety Shoes a shoe is Lehigh Safety Shoes the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the Lehigh Safety Shoes foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or Lehigh Safety Shoes flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that Lehigh Safety Shoes helps hold Lehigh Safety Shoes the shoe onto Lehigh Safety Shoes the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole Lehigh Safety Shoes in place. Closed Lehigh Safety Shoes footwear, such as boots, sneakers Lehigh Safety Shoes and most Lehigh Safety Shoes men's shoes, will have a more Lehigh Safety Shoes complex Lehigh Safety Shoes upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide Lehigh Safety Shoes Goth Shoes upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide Lehigh Safety Shoes protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: Lehigh Safety Shoes used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being Lehigh Safety Shoes worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider Lehigh Safety Shoes or for reducing discomfort in areas of Lehigh Safety Shoes a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece Lehigh Safety Shoes which increases Lehigh Safety Shoes the area of Lehigh Safety Shoes ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and Lehigh Safety Shoes casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and Lehigh Safety Shoes supple Lehigh Safety Shoes leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of Lehigh Safety Shoes dress Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, Lehigh Safety Shoes but may also be made with openings or even Lehigh Safety Shoes itself Lehigh Safety Shoes consist of Lehigh Safety Shoes a series of straps, Lehigh Safety Shoes e.g. an open toe featured in Lehigh Safety Shoes women's shoes. Lehigh Safety Shoes Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain Lehigh Safety Shoes styles may be Lehigh Safety Shoes referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured Lehigh Safety Shoes by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping Lehigh Safety Shoes the shoe on.
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Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are American Eagle Shoes not balmorals, such as rubber-sole Lehigh Safety Shoes bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the Lehigh Safety Shoes vamp; also known as "open Lehigh Safety Shoes lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as Lehigh Safety Shoes the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a Lehigh Safety Shoes buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such Lehigh Safety Shoes as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or Lehigh Safety Shoes style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Lehigh Safety Shoes Wikipedia's Lehigh Safety Shoes guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's styles being more accepted as Lehigh Safety Shoes unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in Lehigh Safety Shoes the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps Lehigh Safety Shoes or skimmers, are shoes with a Lehigh Safety Shoes very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing Lehigh Safety Shoes much of the instep. Lehigh Safety Shoes They are popular for Lehigh Safety Shoes warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes with heels 2 Lehigh Safety Shoes inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly Lehigh Safety Shoes worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress Lehigh Safety Shoes shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without Lehigh Safety Shoes a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular Lehigh Safety Shoes for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be Lehigh Safety Shoes cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known Lehigh Safety Shoes as boat shoes and deck Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple Lehigh Safety Shoes leather Lehigh Safety Shoes (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made Lehigh Safety Shoes of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid Lehigh Safety Shoes marring or scratching Lehigh Safety Shoes a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking Lehigh Safety Shoes boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with Lehigh Safety Shoes pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's Lehigh Safety Shoes athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in Lehigh Safety Shoes dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, Lehigh Safety Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Lehigh Safety Shoes Special varieties are available for basketball Lehigh Safety Shoes or tennis.
Running Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes: very similar to above, with Lehigh Safety Shoes additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat Lehigh Safety Shoes (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American Lehigh Safety Shoes football, or baseball.
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A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in Lehigh Safety Shoes grass and Lehigh Safety Shoes wet ground. Originally the spikes or Lehigh Safety Shoes "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like Vegetarian Shoes materials with prongs distributed Lehigh Safety Shoes radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause Lehigh Safety Shoes less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and Lehigh Safety Shoes athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes or boots: usually have a high Lehigh Safety Shoes somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the Lehigh Safety Shoes hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on Lehigh Safety Shoes the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice Lehigh Safety Shoes skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for Lehigh Safety Shoes attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very Lehigh Safety Shoes wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface Lehigh Safety Shoes with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the Lehigh Safety Shoes foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are Lehigh Safety Shoes used for mostly recreational Lehigh Safety Shoes purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare Lehigh Safety Shoes feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support Lehigh Safety Shoes are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have Lehigh Safety Shoes a toe box that is stiffened Lehigh Safety Shoes with glue and Lehigh Safety Shoes a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by Lehigh Safety Shoes elastic straps Lehigh Safety Shoes and ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or Lehigh Safety Shoes leather, Lehigh Safety Shoes with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole Lehigh Safety Shoes is typically made of Lehigh Safety Shoes leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Lehigh Safety Shoes Ballet Lehigh Safety Shoes slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over Softwalk Shoes the top of the foot. They are Lehigh Safety Shoes most commonly Lehigh Safety Shoes pink, white, black, Lehigh Safety Shoes or pale tan, although Vans Skate Shoes they Lehigh Safety Shoes may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. Lehigh Safety Shoes They fall into two categories Lehigh Safety Shoes for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International Lehigh Safety Shoes DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin Lehigh Safety Shoes American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather Lehigh Safety Shoes uppers. Lehigh Safety Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are Lehigh Safety Shoes typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety Lehigh Safety Shoes of Lehigh Safety Shoes colours to match the dancer's Lehigh Safety Shoes dress. Lehigh Safety Shoes The low Ballroom Lehigh Safety Shoes heel distributes the dancer's Lehigh Safety Shoes weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed Lehigh Safety Shoes to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Lehigh Safety Shoes Latin Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to Lehigh Safety Shoes 3-inch heels, open-toed and Lehigh Safety Shoes strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these Lehigh Safety Shoes are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with Lehigh Safety Shoes a one to three inch Lehigh Safety Shoes heel, which are usually made of Lehigh Safety Shoes leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They Lehigh Safety Shoes may be converted to tap shoes by Lehigh Safety Shoes attaching taps.
Foot Lehigh Safety Shoes thongs. Lehigh Safety Shoes Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot Lehigh Safety Shoes covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing Lehigh Safety Shoes turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a Lehigh Safety Shoes dancer the appearance of having Lehigh Safety Shoes bare Lehigh Safety Shoes feet.
Modern pointe shoes. Lehigh Safety Shoes
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers. Lehigh Safety Shoes
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed Lehigh Safety Shoes to Lehigh Safety Shoes stand heavy Lehigh Safety Shoes wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from Lehigh Safety Shoes sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes Lehigh Safety Shoes they are used for uniforms or comfort Lehigh Safety Shoes by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used Lehigh Safety Shoes for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles Lehigh Safety Shoes or Lehigh Safety Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear Lehigh Safety Shoes has been Lehigh Safety Shoes worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still Lehigh Safety Shoes worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used Lehigh Safety Shoes to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle Lehigh Safety Shoes ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Lehigh Safety Shoes Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but Lehigh Safety Shoes deformable material. After a person Lehigh Safety Shoes wears them multiple Lehigh Safety Shoes times, the material Lehigh Safety Shoes reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have Lehigh Safety Shoes broken in Lehigh Safety Shoes the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole Lehigh Safety Shoes replacement: soles also Lehigh Safety Shoes wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit Lehigh Safety Shoes for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste Lehigh Safety Shoes and disposed of. The exception can Lehigh Safety Shoes be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw Lehigh Safety Shoes materials. See Nike Grind Lehigh Safety Shoes as an Lehigh Safety Shoes example.
Someone who Lehigh Safety Shoes makes or repairs Lehigh Safety Shoes shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as Lehigh Safety Shoes well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes Lehigh Safety Shoes when entering Lehigh Safety Shoes a house. In some areas of the United Lehigh Safety Shoes States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, Lehigh Safety Shoes it is Lehigh Safety Shoes considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others Lehigh Safety Shoes (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an Gravity Defyer Shoes extremely rare occurrence in any society, Lehigh Safety Shoes some Lehigh Safety Shoes Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
